"Parents who are thinking about or are in the process of adopting a child with special needs from foster care should know about adoption assistance (also known as adoption subsidy). Federal (Title IV-E) and state (often called non-IV-E) adoption assistance programs are designed to help parents meet their adopted children’s varied, and often costly, needs.

Who Is Eligible for Adoption Assistance/Subsidy?The requirements for eligibility for adoption subsidy are: 

1. The child is under 18 years old

2. The child’s parental rights have been terminated (exceptions to this requirement are made for tribal customary adoptions)

3. The child has one of the following specific factors or conditions:

   • The children is eligible for SSI based solely on the medical and disability requirements, as determined by the Social Security Administration

   • The child has a  documented difficulty of care determination of Level II or higher that is supported by the current foster care updated service plan.

   • The child is three years of age or older.

   • The child is being adopted by a relative.

   • The child is being adopted to join an already adopted sibling.

   • The child is a member of a sibling group being adopted together and at least one sibling has been determined eligible for adoption support subsidy as an individual.​"